A New Year’s Honor: Receiving the Order of the Falcon from the President of Iceland

On January 1, 2025, I received the profound honor of the Order of the Falcon. The President of Iceland presented it to me. This prestigious award celebrates contributions to Icelandic society. Receiving it for my work in building the startup community and supporting Icelandic startups is both humbling and deeply gratifying.

A Journey of Collaboration and Vision

I began this journey with Startup Iceland over a decade ago. The vision was simple but ambitious: to create a vibrant and sustainable startup ecosystem in Iceland. The country, with its rich history, creative culture, and resilient people, was brimming with untapped potential. Yet, the startup ecosystem needed nurturing—a support system to inspire and empower founders, give access to capital, and foster innovation.

This recognition is not just about my individual efforts. It reflects the collective will and hard work of countless individuals. These are people who believed in the vision. This achievement belongs to all of us. Entrepreneurs dared to dream. Mentors, investors, and community members rallied together.

Icelandic Startups: Stories of Resilience and Success

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of investing in and partnering with some incredible Icelandic startups. These founders have demonstrated resilience, creativity, and a relentless drive to solve problems that matter. The first Icelandic team in history was acquired into Silicon Valley by a Nasdaq-listed company. Travel marketplaces fueled a boom in Iceland’s tourism industry. These stories are a testament to what’s possible when vision meets opportunity.

The Power of Community

Building a startup community is not just about funding or mentorship. It’s about creating an ecosystem where people can trust each other. They must also collaborate and grow together. I’ve always believed in the power of spending meaningful time with founders. That’s why I commit to weekly one-on-one sessions with every team I invest in. These interactions have shaped the success of startups. They have also enriched my understanding of the challenges and opportunities startups face. The vibrant community in Iceland started with a blueprint based on Brad Feld’s Boulder Thesis. His book, Startup Communities – How to build one in your city, explains this in detail. This all started when we launched the first Startup Iceland Conference in 2012. Before that It was clear to me that investing in successful startups was not enough. We had to build a community that believed in that vision. We needed the boldness to pursue ambitious goals. We in Iceland have been fortunate. We have seen a string of successes. More recently, Iceland saw the first Unicorn emerge through Kerecis. Several others are being built as I type this post.

A Personal Reflection

Receiving the Order of the Falcon is a moment to reflect on the journey. It is also a time to think about the lessons learned. We must not forget the incredible people who made this possible. It’s also a reminder of the responsibility that comes with such recognition—to continue supporting, inspiring, and building. None of this is possible without the love and support of my family who have stood steadfast behind me. My wife has been a rock, nothing I do is possible without her wisdom, courage and encouragement. Both my daughters Mira and Maya have been phenomenal. It was also poignant that my mother was in Iceland at the same time to join in the ceremony. She met with the President and all the dignitaries. I think she was happy with how things have turned out for her son so far.

As we step into 2025, my commitment remains steadfast. I will work with mission-driven founders solving hard problems. I aim to foster an inclusive and dynamic startup community. I will help Iceland continue its rise as a global hub for innovation. Through these efforts we will rise more people out of poverty. We can eliminate poverty by empowering every individual to build value for their communities. The best way to do this is through entrepreneurship and startups.

Gratitude and Vision for the Future

I’m deeply grateful to the President of Iceland for this recognition. I am also thankful to everyone who has been part of this journey. This honor is a testament to what we can achieve together when we dare to imagine and build the future.

Let’s continue to dream big, support one another, and create lasting impact—for Iceland and beyond.